Harvard University is pleased to announce the establishment of
its 11th endowed coaching position. A generous gift from Gregory
Lee ’87 and Russell Ball ’88 establishes the Gregory
Lee ’87 and Russell Ball ’88 Endowed Coach for Squash.
Newly appointed director of squash Mike Way will be the first coach
to hold the position.

Russell Ball and Gregory Lee, friends and teammates, endowed the
position in honor of their fathers, Theodore B. Lee ’54, who
has been a long-time supporter and advocate for Harvard College,
the HAA and Harvard Athletics, and Russell C. Ball, Jr., who loved
squash and used it as a vehicle to impart many life lessons:
sportsmanship, humility, respect, perseverance, competition and the
power of dedication and hard work. The long tradition of
excellence within the Harvard squash program was built on these
principles. The Lee and Ball families hope this gift will
benefit generations of Harvard squash athletes and unite the alumni
in continued support of the program.

“I feel very fortunate to be in the position to give
something back to the Harvard squash program,” Ball said.
“When I look at the experiences I have had throughout my
life, the four years at Harvard are very special. Coach [Dave] Fish
was a great squash coach, educator, as well as a tremendous mentor.
Although we all became much better squash players while at Harvard,
the life lessons we learned helped create a foundation for future
success. I also appreciate the wonderful friendships I developed as
a result of playing on the squash team. The common bond we all
share has helped to sustain these incredible life-long friendships.
I really appreciate the opportunity to share this gift with Greg
Lee, my friend and teammate.”

“I am honored to give something back to Harvard and to the
squash program, and to honor my father, Ted Lee,” Greg said.
“Though my father did not play squash, he recognized that the
game required the qualities he wanted to instill in me: hard work,
humility and fair play. These qualities guide my leadership, and
for that I am most grateful. I was fortunate to play on teams
with extraordinary players, and to learn from them every day.
I learned how to play squash, how to compete and still be friends,
and how to measure my success by my own improvement. My experience
at Harvard and playing squash gave me lifelong friendships that
continue to enrich my life. I am honored to be able to share this
gift with my good friend, Russ Ball.”

Dave Fish ’72, the Scott Mead ’77 Family Head Coach
for Men’s Tennis, had the honor of coaching both Greg and
Russ on the squash team. “It is gratifying to see two players
from some of Harvard’s greatest teams of the 1980’s
step up so generously to endow the Harvard squash coaching
position,” Fish said. “Both Russ and Greg always put
the team first when they were members of the team, and have
continued in the same spirit now. I’m sure they are
both delighted as I am that Michael Way will be the first Harvard
coach to benefit from their support.

“Also, having had the good fortune to know and admire
their parents, their support also reflects admirably on the lessons
of their parents, who were also generous stewards of Harvard and
other institutions. This gift will enable Harvard to
attract squash coaches of the finest caliber, now and in the
future.”

Harvard won four Ivy League and national team titles during Ball
and Lee’s time at Harvard. Ball was a three-time
All-American, four-time first-team All-Ivy League recipient and
served as captain in 1988.

Bob Scalise, The Nichols Family Director of Athletics, noted the
endowment strengthens one of Harvard’s most successful
programs. The Crimson has won 31 men’s and 12 women’s
national titles, including the women’s crown in 2010.
“The sport of squash at Harvard has earned more national
championships than any other sport and has a tradition of educating
our students in sport and life. I am thrilled that Russ and Greg
stepped up to give us a chance to highlight what an exceptional
program we have.”

The Joseph J. O'Donnell '67 MBA '71 Head Coach for Harvard
Baseball
The Thomes Bolles Endowment for Men’s Heavyweight Crew
The Thomas Stephenson '64 MBA '66 Family Head Coach for Harvard
Football
The Robert D. Ziff '88 Head Coach for Harvard Men's Ice Hockey
The Landry Family Head Coach for Harvard Women's Ice Hockey
The Frisbie Family Head Coach for Harvard Men’s Lacrosse
The Virginia B. and James O. Welch, Jr. '52 Head Coach for Harvard
Men's Soccer
The Gregory Lee ’87 and Russell Ball ’88 Endowed Coach
for Squash at Harvard University
The Costin Family Endowed Coach for Harvard Women's Swimming and
Diving
The Scott Mead ’77 Family Head Coach for Harvard Men’s
Tennis
The David G. Bunning '88 Head Coach for Harvard Wrestling
The Nichols Family Director of Harvard Athletics